Pen Pal

Dear Kayla,

You didn’t respond to my last letter, which I understand, because you think we’ve never met. You’re wrong. I could bore you with the details, but for now, just trust that I know you.

In every way one person can know another, I know you.

I know the sight, sound, taste, and smell of you.

I know your darkest darks and your lightest lights.

I know your dreams, your nightmares, and every secret you’ve ever kept hidden, all those nameless desires you never admitted even to yourself.

I know the shape of your soul.

I know your hands tremble as you read these words, and your heart beats as fast as a hummingbird’s wings. I know you want to tear this letter up, and I also know you won’t.

How I need to touch you. How I need to hear your voice. I can’t, of course, because I’m here and you’re there, but the distance doesn’t make the longing go away.

I can still taste your skin.

Dante